Microphone with an adjustable attenuator



March 15, 1960 w. MULLER 2,923,908

MICROPHONE WITH AN ADJUSTABLE ATTENUATOR Filed Feb. 13, 1957 2Sheets-Sheet 1 I March 15, 1960 w. MULLER MI CROPHONE WITH AN ADJUSTABLEATTENUATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 13, 1957 MICROPHONE WITH ANADJUSTABLE ATTENUATOR Willy Miiller, Zurich, Switzerland, assignor toSud-Atlas- Werke G.m.b.H., Munich, Germany, a firm Application February13, 1957, Serial No. 640,045

6 Claims. (Cl. 179-147) It is known that in using dictating machines innoisy rooms, an abatement of the room noise as compared with the noisecaused by speaking into the microphone can be achieved if an attenuatoras supplemental equipment is provided for the microphone and themicrophone is held close to the mouth. The attenuator, generallyconsisting of a resistor or of a capacitor is connected in parallel withthe microphone by a tumbler switch, a sliding switch or a push-button.

It is, furthermore, known that microphones for dictating machines havebeen provided (for alternate use as table or hand set) with a standwhich can be folded outwards for alternate use as a table or hand set.

The present invention is based on the concept that it is convenient toalways out in the attenuator if the microphone is used as hand set,whereas the attenuator may be kept out of operation if the microphone isused as a table set. Based on this idea, the switch for the attenuatoris, according to the object of the present invention, operated by afolding lever, serving as a stand in such a manner, that the attenuatoris cut out in the stand position of said foldable lever (conferenceconnection) and is cut in by swinging said foldable lever out of itsstand position (dictation connection). This arrangement obviates theprovision of a special device for the manipulation of the attenuator andis considerably suited to facilitate the use of the microphone.

Two typical examples are represented here to illustrate how theinvention works:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a microphone according to this invention shownin the position as table set,

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through IIIIII of Fig. 2 on a larger scale,but shown in hand set position,

Fig. 4 is a side view of a second typical example as hand set,

Fig. 5 is a front view of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a microphone of the type shown in Figs. 4 and 5 used as tableset.

The microphone represented in Figs. 1 to 3 with its casing 1 is fittedwith a folding, stirrup-like, lever 2 which serves as a stand so as toenable the microphone to be used either as table or as hand set. Thisfolding stirrup is pivotally secured to the lower edge of the microphonecasing at its back. The stirrup can be swung about its pivotal axis tobe held at any angular relation to the casing by means of frictionalforces so that the microphone may rest securely at any angle on a tablesurface. In order to suppress the propagation of structural soundthrough the table sound-absorbing feet 3 of soft rubber are embedded ingrooves made in the metallic stirrup.

For the use as hand set folding stirrup 2 is folded in towards the backof the microphone casing and is received by a marginal recess 4 providedin the microphone casing, which recess in shape and thickness conformsto the dimensions of the stirrup.

A 2,928,908 Patented Mar. 15,, 1960 For starting and stopping therecording carrier of the dictating machine connected via cable 5 to themicrophone, the latter carries a tumbler switch 6 in the upper leftcorner. Additionally,,for cutting in an attenuator which may consisteither of a resistor or of a condenser,

. not represented here in the drawing a circuit-closing and openingswitch, operated by a simple push-button 7, is

provided, the latter extends through an opening in the casing and ispositioned with its projecting end within the recess normally occupiedby stirrup 2 in its folded position. The projecting end is positioned insuch a manner that switch 8 of the attenuator is opened when using themicrophone as table set (Figs. 1 and 2) whereas when used as hand setthe switch 8 is cut in by moving folding stirrup 2 in towards thecasing, thereby pressing down the push-button 7 (Fig. 3).

In the second typical example as shown in Figs. 4 to 6, instead offolding stirrup 2, a grip 8 is provided, which for use of the microphoneas hand set must be brought into the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5, inwhich position it lies in the extended or nearly extended (broken lines)longitudinal axis of the microphone 9, when used as table set it isswung about the axis of the shaft 10, which connects it with themicrophone, into the position shown in Fig. 6. In this position it canbe placed with its under face 11 on the table so that the microphone 9stands with a slight inclination. The attenuator, not shown in Figs. 4to 6, will be cut in or out by the to-and-fro-movement of the grip 8 inthe same manner as shown in the first typical example.

The invention is not solely confined to the typical examples as shown inthe foregoing but many modifications and other executions are possible.For example, the switch serving to operate the attenuator might beconnected to the axis of rotation of the folding stirrup. Furthermore,the connection might be arranged so as to cut in or out the attenuator,independently of the folding stirrup.

I claim:

1. In a microphone adapted for use with dictating machines havingattenuating means adapted to suppress background room noises, a standpivotally interengaging said microphone and adapted to pivot toward andaway from said microphone, and switch means adapted to operativelyengage and disengage said attenuating means, said switch meanspositioned to be operatively controlled by the movement of said stand.

2. A microphone adapted for use with dictating machines including acasing, an attenuating means within said casing, designed to suppressbackground room noises, a support for said microphone adapted to serveas a stand, means pivotally securing said support to said casing forpivotal movement to and from said casing, switch means projectingpartially through said casing and positioned to be operativelycontrolled by said pivotal movement of said support, said switch adaptedto operatively engage and disengage said attenuating means.

3. A microphone adapted for use with dictating machines. including acasing, an attenuating means within said casing, designed to suppressbackground room noises, a stirrup-like stand having parallel legs, meanspivotally securing said stand to said casing for movement of said legsin parallel planes from a position closely adjacent said casing to aposition angular thereto, whereby said stand may be used to support saidmicrophone on a horizontal surface, switch means projecting partiallythrough said casing and positioned to be operatively engaged anddisengaged respectively on movement of said legs to and away from saidcasing.

4. A microphone adapted for use with dictating ma chines, including acasing, support means forsaid casing, means pivotally securing saidsupport means to said casing said casing; switch*meansauapted tooperativ'eiy cmtful" said attenuator including a push button, said pushbutton p ie t h h a d a i a d. ad pte t 1s QP T 'V tiyeiy engaged bymoii em iit Qf t ivto said easingf f A v q l q 9 ,1 p la m 4 wh n aisup: r m a h n 'a heee s lq sn s tic e el'o iszl. i s s n 6. A device asset forth in claim 4, whegein said support mea'fis',fi"1ifisaid"ifiiriiiafiifiisiisefasa EaiiEYEt; is positioned in substantiallbngitudinal alignment with said casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

